Washington DC Nurse Practitioner Programs
Across the country, wait times for health care providers are on the rise. But when you’re sick, you don’t always have time to wait. That’s why it’s important to increase the amount of primary care providers in Washington D.C. and make health care more accessible to everyone. If you’re a registered nurse, you may be able to do your part by earning a Master’s degree and becoming a nurse practitioner. Contact the D.C. schools with NP programs listed on our site to learn more now.
Nurse practitioners serve in many different practice settings in Washington D.C., from clinics and hospitals to mobile care settings. In fact, Washington D.C. recently added mobile health clinics to its health care services. This permits people to obtain quick and affordable care even if they cannot afford to go to a clinic.
When you look at the statistics, it’s clear that nurse practitioners are an important part of American health care. A recent research paper out of Washington D.C. revealed that the number of nurse practitioners has doubled over the last 10 years. However, this number still is not enough to serve the needs of the American people. As a result, nursing schools and employers are eager to recruit skilled, dedicated nursing professionals into the fold.
If you are looking to take your nursing career to the next level, contact nurse practitioner programs in Washington D.C. today.
Nurse Practitioner Program Curriculum in Washington DC
Though there are several nurse practitioner schools in Washington D.C., course requirements tend to be similar between programs. You must gain experience in the independent care of patients, enhance your knowledge of nursing theory, and learn how to serve as a leader in various health care settings.
To reach these learning goals, you must complete at least 30 credits as a Master’s degree student or 60 credits as a doctoral degree student. Some of the courses you may take as a nurse practitioner student include Health Care Ethics, Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Concepts in Physiology & Pathophysiology, and Research Methods for Advanced Nursing Professionals. Later courses in your curriculum may explore advanced themes. These classes include Best Practices in Advanced Nursing, Primary Health Care of the Family, and Professional Aspects of Advanced Practice Nursing.
Clinical practice is a component of most nurse practitioner courses, as you must be ready to meet the varied health care needs of your patients. Most programs require a minimum of 600 clinical hours, although numerous schools require more.
As a Washington D.C. nursing student, you may choose from quite a few local and federal scholarship opportunities. Most schools have their own comprehensive financial aid programs, so make sure to check out scholarship opportunities once you select a school. Some schools have partnerships with health care providers, while other schools offer scholarships like the Nurse Faculty Program.
Working as a Nurse Practitioner in Washington DC
The Washington D.C. Board of Nursing requires you to obtain an advanced practice license before you work as a nurse practitioner. This involves passing an advanced exam and going through the licensing process again.
Nurse practitioners are in high demand across the country, so you may have picked the ideal time to further your nursing career. Per O*Net, job openings for nurse practitioners may increase by 34 percent through 2022. Across the board, salaries in this specialty are on par with national averages. O*Net reports an average salary of $84,700 per year in Washington D.C.
If you want to find out more about what it means to be an advanced practice nurse, and how to become an NP, use our school listings to find nurse practitioner schools in Washington D.C.